Williams in defence of World Match Racing title

7:25 PM Tue 2 Dec 2008 GMT

'Ian Williams - Bahrain Team Pindar' Mark Lloyd &copy

Britain's Ian Williams of Bahrain Team Pindar, will begin his pursuit to retain his World Match Racing Tour title at the Monsoon Cup, which takes place from Wednesday 3 - 7 December in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Williams will be hoping to repeat his performance at the 2007 event when he become the first ever British sailor to win the World Match Racing Tour.

Williams, from Southampton, heads to the ninth and final stage on the 2008 tour in a strong position, leading the standings by four points with America's Cup skipper Sebastien Col (French Team/K Challenge) and current ISAF World Number 1 Mathieu Richard (French Team/Team French Spirit) both also in contention for the title.

All three skippers will be looking for strong performances, in what promises to be a thrilling climax to the season, with 1.5 times the usual points awarded to the top eight finishers.

Williams will be hoping to repeat his performance at the 2007 event, when, after defeating Peter Gilmour (PST) 3-1 in the final of the Monsoon Cup, he rewrote the history books becoming the first ever British sailor to win the World Match Racing Tour.

A world class line up of 12 crews will compete on identical Foundation 36 Yachts for a share of the $295,000 prize money, including Britain's three times Olympic Gold medallist and ISAF Rolex Sailor of the Year, Ben Ainslie (Team Origin) and former World Match Racing Tour Champion, Peter Gilmour (PST).

Speaking from Malaysia, Williams commented,

'It has been a great year for Bahrain Team Pindar, we have performed consistently well and retained our lead in the standings since May. The crew is in great shape and we feel well prepared after a week of training in Perth. With three of us in contention, there's no doubt, it's going to be an intense week but we're set for the challenge and will be giving it all we've got to retain our title.'

Andrew Pindar, Chairman of Bahrain Team Pindar said, 'We are immensely proud to be associated with Ian, who is a talented sailor and is tremendously dedicated to the sport. The Bahrain Team Pindar crew has worked incredibly hard this season and we wish them all the best of luck, in what looks set to be a very exciting final event.'

Now in its fourth year the Monsoon Cup, hosted by Terengganu Heritage Bay Club, has gained prominent status on the World Tour, with organisers anticipating record crowds and TV audiences for the 2008 event.

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Williams in defence of World Match Racing title

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